When is Congress in session? House 2024 Calendar Senate 2024 Calendar
What’s Ahead: This Week
Hearings and Markups –
- Tuesday, June 4
- House Energy & Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, “Oversight of 340B Drug Pricing Program.” Additional Information
- Wednesday, June 5
- Senate Aging Committee, “Heroes at Home: Improving Services for Veterans and their Caregivers.” Additional Information
Notable Policy Events –
- Monday, June 3
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), “Annual Report Workgroup.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Tuesday, June 4
- American Medical Association (AMA), “Mid-Year Update on Medicare Physician Payment and What AMA is Doing.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Wednesday, June 5
- Health Affairs, “Briefing: Reimagining Public Health.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
- Thursday, June 6
- American Council for Technology – Industry Advisory Council (ACT-IAC)/HIMSS National Capital Area (NCA), “Health Innovation Summit.” In-Person, Paid. Additional Information
- CMS, “Accountable Care Organization Primary Care Flex Model (ACO PC Flex Model) Application Overview Webinar.” Free, Virtual. Additional Information
Weekly Wrap-Up: Notable Health Care Developments from Last Week
Medicare & Medicaid –
- On May 28, CMS released a maternal health infographic, highlighting demographics, health outcomes, risk factors, access and utilization, and disparities among 2024 Medicaid & CHIP beneficiaries. Bulletin Infographic
- Also on May 28, CMS announced updates to include marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors for hospice, rural health clinics, and federally qualified health centers. Memorandum
- Also on May 28, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announced the appointment of two new members to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). Four current members were also reappointed. Announcement
- On May 29, GAO released a report on Medicaid managed care plans’ use of prior authorization for children’s health care benefits. The report was requested by House Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Pallone (D-NJ). Report Press Release
- On May 30, CMS released a State Health Official (SHO) letter that describes the 2025 updates to the core set of health care quality measures for Medicaid and CHIP . Bulletin Updates and Mandatory Reporting Guidance
- Also on May 30, CMS released a SHO letter announcing that CMS is extending state reporting of certain Medicaid and CHIP metrics that states first started reporting during the return to full Medicaid and CHIP renewals. State reporting on renewal outcomes will continue after the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 requirements end on June 30, 2024. Bulletin SHO Letter
- Also on May 30, CMS released a Diabetes Strategy Impact Report. This resource summarizes the advances made in improving diabetes care in Medicare in calendar year (CY) 2023. Impact Report 2024
- On May 31, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicaid, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of February 2024, 67,059,354 people are enrolled in Medicare and 83,387,167 people are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Enrollment Data
Marketplaces – On May 29, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) and Senate HELP Committee Chair Sanders (I-VT) sent a letter to data analytics company MultiPlan raising questions regarding its role in negotiating out-of-network payments on behalf of employer-sponsored health plans. Letter Press Release
Payment & Delivery System Models –
- On May 29, CMS released the evaluation report for Model Year 4 of the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) model. Participants reduced total episode payments by $930 per episode, or 3.5 percent of the baseline mean, relative to the comparison group. Report Summary
- On May 30, CMS released the Request for Applications (RFA) for the ACO Primary Care Flex Model. Organizations interested in participating must first apply to the Shared Savings Program. The deadline to submit an application to the Shared Savings Program is June 17, 2024. Applicant ACOs must submit a supplemental ACO PC Flex application questionnaire by August 1, 2024. RFA
- Also on May 30, CMS announced the opening of a second round of applications for the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM). The second cohort will begin participation in EOM on July 1, 2025 and end on June 30, 2030, for a five-year model performance period. CMS also announced several refinements to the model’s policies. RFA
Health IT, Privacy, & Digital Health –
- On May 30, Senate Finance Committee Chair Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Khan and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gensler urging the agencies to investigate UnitedHealth Group for negligent cybersecurity practices. Letter Press Release
- On May 31, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) published an update to the frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the Change Healthcare cyberattack. The webpage provides answers to FAQs concerning the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Rules and the cybersecurity incident impacting Change Healthcare. Press Release FAQs
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Policy – On May 29, the CDC published a blog highlighting efforts in government and industry to address workplace violence in the health care sector, including the CDC’s release of the Impact Wellbeing Guide to help hospital executives accelerate or supplement professional wellbeing activities in their hospitals. Blog Impact Wellbeing Guide
SDOH & Health Equity – On May 31, HHS launched the Heat and Health Index (HHI) to help communities prepare for extreme heat and prevent heat-related illness, especially among those most at risk. Heat and Health Tool Press Release
Misc. –
- On May 29, HHS released data indicating the national uninsured rate remained at 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023. Fact Sheet Press Release
- On May 30, HHS released a report providing a strategic framework for a national plan on aging. The national plan aims to advance best practices for service delivery, support the development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, and remove barriers to health and independence for older adults. Press Release Report
Legislative Activity –
Introduced Legislation –
- On May 28, Reps. Bucshon (R-IN), Carter (R-GA), and Harshbarger (R-TN) introduced the 340B Affording Care for Communities and Ensuring a Strong Safety-Net Act (340B ACCESS Act) (H.R. 8574), which would establish oversight and transparency of the 340B program. Press Release
- Also on May 28, Reps. Goldman (D-NY), Malliotakis (R-NY), Cárdenas (D-CA), and Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Michelle Alyssa Go Act (H.R. 8575), which would revise the definition of institution for mental diseases under the Medicaid program to exclude from such definition institutions having 36 beds or less if such institutions meet certain standards. Press Release Bill Text